Dental clasp



Jan. 41, 1924 Y 1,479,439

` R. V.- lWILLIAMS DENTAL CLASP Filed Sent. 9) 1922 i Hi-Zarizyv'.

Patented Jan. l, 1924.

n i ,c `Laatse unirse starr-s Farrar ortica.

REGINALD V. WILLIAMS, OF BUFFALO, NEW `YORK. Y

DENTAL CLASP.

Application led September 9, A1922. Serial No. 587,042.

To all whom, 'it may concer/11,.'

Be it known that- REGINALD V. WIL- LIAMS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Dental Clasps, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates `to the clasps employed for removably securingdent-al plates or bridgework to natural teeth, and particu' larly toclasps having occlusal rests.

lts chief object is the provision of a dental clasp in which theocclusal rest is adjustable to adapt it 'to the indentations of occlusalsurfaces which vary more or less in differentV cases.

A further object is to provide an adjustable and interchangeable rest ofthis character 'which is simple andY inexpensive in construction, whichcan be conveniently set to any desired position on the clasp, and whichforms a smooth joint with the latter, so as to avoid spaces orinterstices for the lodgment of foreign matter, thereby rendering theclasp sanitary. Y

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of adental plate or saddle embodying the improvement. Figure 2 is anenlarged perspective view of the clasp. Figure 3 is a top plan viewthereof. Figure t is a perspective viewof the occlusal rest detachedfrom the clasp, showing its form before being bent to its ultimateshape. Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged vertical longitudinal sections onthe correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3. Figure 7 is a perspectiveview of a modified form of the improvement. Figure 8 is an enlargedvertical longitudinal section thereof.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-4,inclusive, vthe improvement is shown in connection with a cradle or loopclasp commonly made of wire bent to form the customary double band 10which embraces the natural tooth, and the rearwardly projecting bars oranchorspurs 11 which are embedded in the dental plate or soldered to thebrid'gework. The upper wire 12 of the band will be referred to as theocclusal wire while the lower wire 13 from which the spurs extend willbe referred to as the gingival wire.

14 indicates the occlusal rest which in its original condition islaterally or horizontally adjustable on the clasp-band to permit itscustomary teat 151 to be brought into accurate .register with theindentation of the tooth to which thevclaspis applied. This rest may bestamped from a-iiat sheet metal blank and in its preferred form includesa body portion 16 and a head portion `17 somewhat narrower than saidbody portion. At its upper end the Ybody portion is provided with asubstantiallv horizontal guide groove 18 of approximately semi-circularform which is adapted to lit over the rear or outer side of the Vupperor occlusal wire 12, as shown in Fig. 5.V Projecting from the bodyportioniabove the guide-grooveand on `either side ofthe head portion arelips 19 which are adapted to'be bent around the inner side of theocclusal wire, thus forming7 eyes'which sufficiently embrace said wireto hold the rest on the-clasp-band, as shown in Fig. 6. The body portion16 preferably terminates at or near the lower or gingival wire 13, asshown.

After adjusting the rest on'the clasp band to fit a particular case, itis permanently secured in place, preferably by. soldering it to theupper and lower clasp wires. Any sur-V plus solder, together with theportions of the lips 19 projecting beyond the innersurfaces of thewires, is filed or ground off flush therewithto render the clasp bandperfectly smooth on its inner side and permit it to closely embrace thetooth, thus avoiding the formation of intervening spaces or intersticesin which food or other foreign matter is liable to lodge.

By mounting the occlusal rest in this manner, the same has a maximumrange of adjustment on the clasp-band without interferencewith the spurs11, and but a small amount of time is required on the part of thedentist to adjust and permanently set the rest in position on the claspto fit a particular case. l

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, thesame is shown as applied to a loop clasp in which the occlusal rest 14is adjustably attached to both the upper and Vlower wires thereof. Forthis purpose, the rest is provided at its ends with upper and lowerattaching lips or'eyes 20, 21, which encircle the corresponding wires ofthe clasp-band, thel lower eyes 21 being originally disposed on oppositesides of the anchoring spurs 11. The lower portion of therest lbetweenthe corresponding eyes is reoessed or cut out, as shown at 22, to permitthe desired adjustment of the rest on the clasp-band.. Ars in thepreviously described construction, the rest, after being properlyadjusted, is pern'ianently fastened to the clasp-band by soldering orotherwise. In this case, the solder may ltill the cavity' formed betweenthe upper and lower sets of attaching eyes and then ground ott flushwith the inner surtaees of the wires 12, 13 to permit the clasp-band totit closely about the toot-h to which it is applied.

These improved rests are interchangeable as well as adjustable,inasmuolras the saine rest may be applied to different sized clasps.

Vhile the improvement is herein shown and described in connection with acradle or wire clasp, it is obviously applicable to band-clasps as well.

I claim as my invention:

1. A dental'clasp, comprising a band, and an oeclusal rest laterallyadjustable on said band and having means 'for slidably connectingthe'same with the band.

2.. A dental clasp, having a band, an anohoring spur, and an oeolusalrest laterallyadjustable on saidband, saidjrest being clear choringspur, and an occlnsal rest 4adjustably mounted on said band, said resthaving an attachingeyeengaging the upper portion of said band and thelower part of the rest terminating short of said spur. A

4. A laterally-adjustable rest 'tor a dental clasp, including-a bodyportion, ahead portion, anda guiding member formed on said body portionand varranged to engage said clasp.

5. A"laterally-adjustable rest for a denta clasp, ,including a bodyportion having a substantially horizontal guide-groove -arranged toreceive a part of said'elasp.

6. An occlusal rest for a kdental clasp, including a body portion havinga substantially horizontal Aguide-'groove arranged to receive a ypart ofsaid clasp, ahead yportion extending above said groove-,and a vretaininglip projecting from said body portion and adapted to 'engage said *claspREGINALD V'. WILLIAMS.

